My life as a member of the Adjunct Majority who has decided to no longer remain silent.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Adjunct Summer is a Comin' In

It is now the end of my second academic season since beginning this blog. I'm happy to report that much has changed since this time last year. I've taken a writing education-related position at a university. I moved my family a few hours away from our former area for this opportunity and it has proved to be a good choice. I'm able to help students who need and appreciate assistance in navigating all the things about college life. This is work with meaning located at a beautiful campus where I feel that I belong.

For the first time in many years, I already have signed summer contracts. I'm not heading into June with my last paydate circled on my checkbook register and already a tightness in my chest about finances. This summer, my family will not be living in what I've come to refer to as "The Scrape" -- that horrid period of time when all checks have stopped and even though I've begun working again, the new ones haven't started coming in. That can be anywhere from one to two months depending on various institutions' pay schedules. Even writing about it makes my stomach feel queasy, which brings me to this request:

Need more persuasion to help? Get the tenure track ally point of view here.

If my readers can afford to help adjuncts, please consider donating to PrecariCorps. This is the adjunct 501(C)(3) non-profit trolled by the same wonderful clods who went after me. This link goes directly to their page where more information and the opportunity to give can be found. Nothing would please me more than to have PrecariCorps' coffers overflow as a response to the ugliness of the past couple of weeks. Really, paying it forward is far more useful and productive than an extended internet battle with people who will only hide behind their keyboards and laugh with like-minded buddies. This will indeed make an immediate difference to the lives of real teachers.

This academic year started out at the ebb tide for me--I felt as though the old things were falling away and rushing off. I admit I wondered if I were in fact going to be left standing on an empty beach or crushed by an incoming wave of awful. However, now I am working with a great team to prepare exciting new programming for our students in the upcoming year. My child who was quite ill is doing well again. The trees suddenly all burst into leaf and spring returned to our cold corner of the planet. Now is the time to plant seeds of all kinds. Make them those that bear good harvest in time.

Obligatory Disclaimer

This blog represents my own opinions and reactions to my life and experiences as an adjunct educator in the United States. I comment on other writings regarding the adjunct crisis. My views are my own and do not represent the official views of any of the various schools for whom I may be teaching.